Apparatus for measuring distance



Nov. 27, 1934. M. MENNEssoN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DISTANCE Filed Jan.25, 1929 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 27, 1934. M. MENNl-:ssoN

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DISTANCE Filed Jan. 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Nov. 27,1934 1 AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,982,528 APPARATUSFOR MEASURING DISTANCE Marcel M ennesson, Neuilly-sur-Sene, France, as-

signor to Socit Anonyme de Construction de Matriel Automobile S. A. C.M. A., Raynonard, Paris, France Application January 25, 1929, Serial No.334,987 In Belgium November 24, 1928 17 Claims. (Cl, 33 125) The presentinvention relates to methods and essentially to assure a supply of airunder conapparatus for measuring length and, more parstant pressure. Inthe form of assembly deticularly, to methods and apparatus forcallbratscribed, the pressure in tube l is a function f ing orifices orfor measuring the distance between the difference in level betweenliquid 4 and the 5 a pair of surfaces. free extremities of tubes 2, 3,the latter acting as 60 One of the objects of the invention is toprovide safety valves to release momentary excess supply a method andmeans for measuring the diameter of air. In actual practice it is foundthat by subof an orifice or the thickness of an object to an mergingtubes 2 and 3 to slightly different depths accuracy of approximately l/1000 of a millimeter H and H1, a more accurate regulation of the airwithout the use of calipers or similar instruments. pressure in conduit1 is obtained. As the gas 65 Another object is to provide a method andunder pressure passes along the tube l, its presmeans for rapidly andaccurately Calibrating sure drops gradually on account of the frictionof orifices such as carburetor nozzles and the like the tube. The tubes2 and 3 are arranged at so as to measure the exact amount of fluid whichdepths varying in accordance with the variation passes therethroughunder operating conditions. in pressure between the points where theyjoin 70 Further ObjGCtS will appeal irl the COul'se Of the the tube 1..This difference in depth has been detailed description now to be givenin connecsomewhat exaggerated in the drawings to bring it tion with theaccompanying drawings, in whichiout more clearly. In this way, by theuse of two Fig. 1 is a diagrammatiC seCtiOu through one or more tubes, amore exact control over the illustrative embodiment of the invention;pressure is obtained,

Fig. 2 is a detail of a form of manometer adapt- The procedure formeasuring the section of an ed to be used with the devices representedin Figs. Orifice is the followingr-A standardizing plug 3 to 6; A havingan orice 8 therein of known, section Fig. 3 shows a form of deviceadapted for use is first mounted on nipple 9 and valve 7 is adlnmeasuring the thickness 0f un Object; justed so that manometer 10 givesany reading 80 Fig. 4 represents the form of device illustrated desired,Plug A is thenremoved and replaced by in Fig. 3 applied to themeasurement of the ina plug having an orifice therethrough of unternaldiameter of a cylinder; known section. A reading of manometer 10 thenFig. 5 illustrates the DrOCCdure Emploi/@d fOr indicates in terms ofpressure the diierence in measuring the diameter of a solid shaft;section between orifice 8 in plug A and in orifice 85 Fig. 6 is amodified form of structure for measthrough the plug being measured.uring shaft diameters. From they above it will be seen that the sectionFig..7 shows a modified form of the structure of any orifice may bequickly and accurately represented in Fig. 1. measured without recourseto calipers or similar The principleupOn which the invention isinstruments and Without passing liquids subiect gg based is thefollowingz- If a gas under constant t0 changes in viscositytherethrough.

pressure is forced through a pair of eres in It is obvious that plug Aand those te se series with one another, tht? gaseous Dressur@ in uredneed not necessarily screw onto nozzle 9 the space between said orificeswill be a function but may Coact therewith by means; 0f pmperly Of therelative sections Of the latter and the formed plane or conical machinedsurfaces, or by o5 measurement of said gaseous pressure by meanscompressive contact with rubber, ber, or other of a manometer or thelike will indicate the di plastic material adapted to seal the jointbetween ameter (or section) of one Orifice relatively '60 these twoelements. If desired, the articles to be the other. measured may becarried to and past nipple 9 Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings thereis by any convenient type of automatic carriage, the loo shown ameasuring assembly consisting of a conblast of air from the nozzleserving to clean the stant pressure gas supply conduit l from whichorifice to be measured and the surface engaging excess of air or thelike escapes via one or a pair with the measuring device. of verticaltubes 2, 3 extending into a liquid 4 In the form of device shown in Fig.3, nozzle (water or the like) through distances H and H1 9 is made inthe form of a cylindrical tube and is 105 respectively, an overflow 5, aliquid supply consupported over an article B, whose thickness is duit 6,a, needle valve 7 controlling l, a nipple 9, to be measured, by asupporting arm 12 mounted and a manometer 10 measuring the pressure inon a table 11. Manometer 10, connected to nipthe chamber between valve 7and nipple 9. ple 9 by flexible hose l5, will measure the thick- Thefunction of elements 1 to 6 inclusive is ness of the annular space 8between blockB and 110 the end of the nipple and indicate variations ining with the atmosphere, the amount of flow thickness of any series ofblocks relatively to through said orice determining the dimension blockB taken as a standard. to be measured, a manometer connected to saidFig. 4 shows nipple 9 supported on a machined chamber to measure thepressure therein and 5 base 13, the whole assembly being inserted intohaving one end open to the atmosphere, said 80 cylinder C so as to leavean annular space 8 chamber having a second restricted orifice therewhosethickness, measured by manometer 10 in, a source of gaseous pressureconnected to said (via tube and added to the overall length secondorifice, a tank adapted to contain a liqof assembly 9, 13 gives anaccurate measure of uid and open to the atmosphere, a. tube inter- 10the cylinders diameter. calated between said source of gaseous pressure85 Fig. 5 shows the manner in which the invenand said second orice andextending below the tion is vapplied to the measurement of the dilevelof the liquid in said tank, whereby gas is ameter of a shaft. Here,nipple 9 fits over the supplied to said chamber at 'a constant pressure.end of shaft D, and the manometer registers the 4. In a work measuringdevice of the class de- 15 section of the space between the nipple andthe scribed, a source of fluid under pressure, means 90 shaft. Theinside diameter of the nipple being to permit any excess of fluid abovethat required known, the manometer readings may be arranged for a givenpressure to escape into the atmosphere, to register direct by thesection or diameter of means to conduct said fluid in a confined path tothe shaft inserted into the former. a point adjacent the work and todirect the fluid 2o In the form of device represented in Fig. 6, in anunconiined jet against the work, means in 95 nipple 9 is given a conicalsection, and support said conducting means to regulate the flow of 11,12 is arranged to be displaced vertically over fluid therethrough, saidlast means including the end of shaft D. By providing asuitable scalemeans ,to permit any excess of uid above that (not shown), the distancethat cone 9 must be required for a given pressure to escape into themoved over shaft D to register any chosen readatmosphere before itreaches said directing means. 100 ing of manometer l0 may be taken as anindiso that pressure fluid may issue from said directcation of thediameter of the shaft. ing means through the space between said direct-The structure shown in Fig. 7 differs from the ing means and the work,means connected to said one represented in Fig. 1 only in providing anconducting means to indicate the pressure there- 36 extra nipple 91controlled by a valve 92 whereby in, variation in the velocity withwhich the fluid 105 a standardizing plug corresponding to the plugissues from the directing means being indicated A of Fig. 1 may bemounted permanently and by changes in the indication of said indicatingcom; ared by a plug to be measured by the shiftmeans whereby variationin the distance between ing of valve 92. said directing means and thework will be indit will be noted that the surface of the liquid cated.110 in the tank 4, the nipple 9, and the indicating 5. In a workmeasuring device of the class detube l0 of the manometer are all open tothe atscribed, a fluid pressure system including a chaminosphere so thatchanges in pressure in the air ber having two orifices, a source offluid under will be reflected in all of the measuring elements.pressure, means connecting said source of fluid 40 What I claim isztoone of said orifices, means interposed in said 115 i. In a workmeasuring apparatus comprising connecting means to regulate the flow offluid a pressure Chamber having an oriee therein therethrough, said lastnamed means comprising open to the atmosphere and a second restrictedvmeans to permit any excess of fluid above that orifice a source ofgaseous pressure, means for required for a given pressure to escape intothe measuring the pressure in said chamber and atmosphere before itreaches said pressure cham- 12o means connecting said second orifice tosaid bei', a pressure gauge connected to said chamber, source of gaseouspressure, that improvement a nozzle connected to the other orifice, saidnozzle which consists of means intercalated in said conbeing adapted tobe positioned adjacent the surnecting means between said second orificeand face of the work so that pressure fluid may issue 5o said source ofgaseous pressure for preserving a therefrom between the end of thenozzle and the 115Y Constant Pressure 1U said Connecting means, saidsurface of the work, variation iii the velocity with 12st Hamed meifisCOmplSiIig a tank OPER t0 the which the fluid issues through the nozzlebeing atmosphere and adapted to contain a liquid, and a indicated bychanges in the indication of Said tube Communicating. With saidConnecting means gauge whereby variation in the distance between infront of said second orifice and extending bethe ond of the nozzle andthe surface of the work 1.10

low the level of the liquid in said tank. Win be indicated 2- Il 2imeasuring apparatus @Ompsl'ig 2- 6. In a work measuring device of theclass depressure chamber having an orifice therein open scribed theCombination of a fluid pressure systo the atmosphere and a secondorifice, a source oom' inoiudiog a nozzle, moans in Said fiuid proso0 0fgasemls pressure means for measuring the sure system to regulate theflow of fluid tlieie- 1o.- pressure in said chamber and meansconnectthrough, Said last moans Comprising means to ing Said SBCOIidOiCe 'C0 Said SOUICe 0f gaseous permit any excess of fluid above thatrequired for pressure, that improvement Which Consists 0f a givenpressure to escape into the atmosphere means intercalated in saidconnecting means bebefore it reaches Said nozzio, Said nozzle boing o5tween Sad SeCOnd OCe and said SOllfCe 0f adapted to be positionedadjacent the surface of mi gaseous Di'eSSilre fOr Preserving a ConstantpieS- the work so that pressure fluid may issue theresure in saidconnecting means, said last named from through the space between the endof the means comprising a tank open to the atmosphere nozzle and thesurface of the work, means conand adapted to contain a liquid, and aplurality nected to said fluid pressure system to indicate "o of tubescommunicating with said connecting the pressure therein, variation inthe velocity M means at different points and extending to difwith whichthe fluid issues through the nozzle ferent depths below the level of theliquid in said being indicated by changes in the indication of tank.said indicating means whereby variation in the 3. A work measuringapparatus comprising a distance between the end of the nozzle and thechamber having an orifice therein communicatsurface of the work will beindicated.- i;

7. In a work measuring device of the class described the combination ofa. fluid pressure system including a nozzle, said nozzle being adaptedto be positioned adjacent the surface of the work so that pressure fluidmay issue ytherefrom through the space between the end of the nozzle andthe surface of the work, means to regulate automatically the pressure insaid fluid pressure system, said` last named means comprising means topermit any excess of fluid above that required for a give'n pressure toescape into the atmosphere, a gauge, means whereby said gauge may beconnected to said fluid pressure system, variation in the velocity withwhich the fluid issues through the nozzle being indicated by changes inthe indication of said gauge whereby variation in the distance betweenthe end of the nozzle and the surface of the work will be indicated.

8. In a work measuring device of the class described, a fluid pressuresystem including a chamf ber having two orifices, a source of fluidunder pressure, means connecting said source of fluid to one of saidorifices, means interposed in said connecting means to regulate the flowof fluid therethrough, said last named means comprising means to permitany excess of fluid above that required for a given pressure to escapeinto the atmosphere before it reaches said pressure chamber, a nozzleconnected to the other orifice, a gauge, means whereby said gauge may beconnected to said fluid pressure system, variation in the velocity withwhich the fluid issues through the nozzle being indicated by changes inthe indication of said gauge whereby variation between a nozzle of knownsize and a size will be indicated.

9. In a work measuring device of the class described, a uid pressuresystem including a chamber having two orifices, a source of fluid underpressure, means connecting said source of fluid to one of said orifices,means interposed in said connecting means to regulate the flow of fluidtherethrough, said lastl named means comprising a tank open to theatmosphere and adapted to contain a liquid, and a tube communicatingwith said connecting means at a point in front of said first orifice andextending below the level of the liquid in said tank, a pressure gaugeconnected to said chamber, a nozzle connected to the other orifice, saidnozzle being adapted to be positioned adjacent the surface of the workso that pressure fluid may issue therefrom between the end of the nozzleand the surface of the work, variation in4 the velocity with which thefluid issues through the nozzle being indicated by changes in theindication of said gauge whereby variation in the distance between theend of the nozzle and the surface of the work will be indicated.

10. In a work measuring device of the class described, the combinationof a fluid pressure system including a source of fluid under pressure, anozzle, and means connecting said source and nozzle, said nozzle beingadapted to be positioned adjacent the surface of the work sothatpressure fluid may issue therefrom through the space between the end ofthe nozzle and the surface of the work, means to regulate automaticallythe pressure in said fluid pressure system, said last named meanscomprising a tank open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain aliquid. and a tube communicating with v said connecting means andextending below the level of the liquid in said tank, a gauge, meanswhereby said gauge may be connected to said fluid pressure system,variation in the velocity nozzle of unknown being indicated by changesin the indication of said gauge whereby variation in the distancelbetween the end of the nozzle and the surface of the work will beindicated. l

11. In a work measuring device of the class described, a fluid pressuresystem including a chamber having two orifices, a source of fluid underpressure, means connecting said source of fluid to one of said orifices,means interposed in said connecting means to regulate the flow offluldltherethrough, said last named means comprising a tank open to theatmosphere and adapted to contain a liquid, and a tube communicatingwith said connecting means at a point in front of said first orifice andextending below the level of the liquid in said tank, a gauge, meanswhereby said gauge may be connected to said vfluid pressure system, anozzle connected to the other orifice, variationlin the velocity with.which the fluid issues through the nozzle being indicated by changes inthe indication of said gauge whereby variation between a nozzle of knownsize and a nozzle of unknown size will be indicated.

l2. In a work measuring apparatus comprising a pressure chamber havingan orifice therein open to the atmosphere and a second restrictedorifice, a source of gaseous pressure, means for measuring the pressurein said chamber and means connecting said second orifice to said sourceof gaseous pressure, that improvement which consists of meansintercalated in said connecting means between said second orice and saidsource of gaseous pressure for preserving a constant pressure in saidconnecting means, said last named means comprising means to permit anyexcess fluid above that required for a given pressure to escape into theatmosphere before it reaches said pressure chamber.

13. In' a work measuring device of the class described, a fluid pressuresystem including a chamber having two orifices, a source of fluid .underpressure, means connecting said source of fluid to one of said orifices,means interposed in said connecting means to regulate the flow' of fluidtherethrough, said last named means comprising means to permit anyexcess of fluid above that required for a given pressure to escape intothe atmosphere before'it reaches said pressure chamber, a pressure gaugeconnected to said chamber, a nozzle adapted to be positioned adjacentthe surface of the work so that the pressure fluid may issue therefrombetween the end of the nozzle and the surface of the work, a flexibleconduit connecting the other orifice of said chamberto said nozzle,variation in the velocity with which the fluid issues through thenozzlebeing indicated by changes in the indication of said gauge,whereby variation in ther distance between the end of the nozzle and thesurface of the work will be indicated.

14. In a dimension measuring device, a support, a nozzle mounted on saidsupport, the distance between the nozzle and the surface of an object tobe measured varying according to variations in the desired dimension ofthe object, a fluid pressure system including a chamber'having twoorifices, a source of fluid under pressure connected to one of saidoriflc'es, means flexible conduit connecting saidnozzle to the other ofsaid orifices, whereby fluid under pressure may escape between saidnozzle and said surface with a velocity varying with the distancetherebetween, and pressure indicating means connected to said chamberfor determining variations in said dimension.

15. In a work measuring device of the cwlass described, a fluid pressuresystem including a chamber having two orifices, a source of fluid underpressure, means connecting said source of flud to one of said orifices,means interposed at said connecting means to regulate the flow of fluidtherethrough, said last named means cornprising means to permit anyexcess of fluid above that required for a given pressure to escape intothe atmosphere before it reaches said pressure chamber. a conicalnipple, a flexible conduit connecting the other orifice of said chamberto said nipple, means for supporting said nipple, said nipple beingpositioned so as to surround the extremity of the work, so that pressurefluid may issue therefrom between the inner wall o f the nipple and theouter wall of the work, variation in the velocity with which fluidissues through such nipple being indicated by changes in the indicationof said gauge, whereby variation in the distance between the inner wallof the nipple and the outer wall of the work will be indicated.

16` In a work measuring device of the class described, a fluid pressuresystem including a chamber having two orifices, a source of fluid underpressure, means connecting said source of fluid to one of said orifices,means interposed in said connecting means to regulate the flow of fluidtherethrough, said last named means comprising means to permit anyexcess of fluid above that required for a given pressure to escape intothe atmosphere before it reaches said pressure chamber, a nipple, aflexible conduit connecting the other orice of said chamber to saidnipple, means for` supporting said nipple, said nipple being positionedso as to surround the extremity of the work, so that pressure fluid mayissue therefrom between the inner wall of the nipple and the outer wallof the work, variation in the velocity with which fluid issues throughsuch nipple being indicated by changes in the indication of said gauge,whereby variation in thedistance between the inner wall of the nippleand the outer wall of the work will be indicated` 17. In a dimensionmeasuring device, a support adapted to be slidably positioned on aninternal surface of a hollow piece, a nozzle adjustably mounted on saidsupport and adapted to be positioned in adjusted position adjacent theopposite surface of the hollow piece to be measured, the distancebetween the nozzle and said opposite surface varying according tovariation in the dimension of said hollow piece, a iiuid pressure systemincluding means to permit any excess of fluid above that required for agiven pressure to escape into the atmosphere, a chamber having twoorifices, means connecting said fluid pressure system to one of saidorices, a flexible conduit connecting said nozzle to the other of saidorifices. whereby uid under pressuremay escape between said nozzle andsaid surface with a velocity varying with the distance therebetween, andpressure indicating means connected to said chamber for determiningvariations in said dimension.

MARCEL MENNESSON.

